Gandahar

Gandahar

Year: 1987

Runtime: 83 mins

Language: French

Director: René Laloux

FantasyScience FictionAnimationAdventure

In a distant future, the peaceful planet Gandahar—where poverty does not exist—faces a terrifying mystery: people on its remote frontiers are being turned to stone. A prophecy foretells a cycle of destruction and salvation a thousand years apart. Sylvain, an explorer, is sent to uncover the petrification source and avert disaster.

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Timeline & Setting – Gandahar (1987)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Gandahar (1987). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Far future

The action unfolds in a distant future Gandahar, with a crucial time-jump revealed when Metamorphis uses a portal to connect with the past. A thousand-year gap becomes central to the plot as the heroes confront a threat that spans millennia. The tale intertwines present events with a distant future invasion orchestrated from beyond time.

Location

Gandahar, Jasper

Gandahar is a peaceful, technologically advanced world whose capital Jasper hosts the Council of Women. The council sends Sylvain to investigate the Men of Metal and their sudden attack on Gandahar. The story involves journeys across seas and reveals the hidden base of the invaders, tying the fate of Gandahar to a broader cosmic threat.

🗺️ Fantasy world 🏛️ Utopian society 🚢 Journey

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:27

Main Characters – Gandahar (1987)

Meet the key characters of Gandahar (1987), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Sylvain Lanvère (Pierre-Marie Escourrou)

A Gandaharian scout sent by the Council of Women to investigate the Men of Metal. He grows from a cautious investigator into a decisive leader, willing to make hard choices for his people. His journey blends courage with moral reflection as he uncovers the truth about Metamorphis and the time-based threat.

⚔️ Courageous 🧭 Leader 🔎 Curious

Airelle (Catherine Chevallier)

A Gandaharian woman saved by Sylvain who becomes his ally. She is resourceful and compassionate, helping uncover the origins of the Men of Metal and supporting the escape and resistance against the invaders.

🌸 Compassionate 🤝 Ally

Metamorphis

A giant brain and the true architect behind the Men of Metal’s plot. He manipulates time to extend his life by draining Gandaharian cells, while masking his own role. His revelations about the future origin of the invaders expose the moral cost of pursuing longevity at any price.

🧠 Intelligence ⏳ Immortality

The Deformed

A race of mutants created by Gandaharian scientists and later deemed undesirable. They become crucial allies against the Men of Metal, offering insights into Metamorphis and contributing to the plan to save Gandahar.

👾 Outsiders 🧬 Mutants

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:27

Major Themes – Gandahar (1987)

Explore the central themes of Gandahar (1987), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

⏳ Time and Mortality

Time drives the plot: the Men of Metal originate from the future, and Sylvain agrees to a plan that requires waiting a thousand years. The narrative uses a temporal test of loyalty and sacrifice, culminating in a decisive act against the aging mastermind. The story explores how time shapes destiny and the cost of immortality.

🧬 Genetics and Ethics

The Deformed and Metamorphis are byproducts of Gandaharian scientists, raising questions about creation, consent, and the value of life. The film contrasts scientific ambition with the moral responsibilities that come with manipulating biology. It probes whether ends justify means when life is engineered to serve a purpose.

🤝 Unity and Alliance

Mutants and Gandaharians learn to work together against a shared threat. Airelle's alliance with Sylvain and the Deformed demonstrates that empathy can bridge deep divides. The conclusion emphasizes collaboration over suspicion when facing existential danger.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:27

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Gandahar Summary

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Gandahar Timeline

More About Gandahar

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